Monday, June 25, 2012

I've decided that I've let this blog go stagnate for long enough. Even though the dog world doesn't talk much, I'm going to use this as a way to journal my progress with my dogs.

I received the cute little flower bag from one of my daughters for my birthday - Yes it says "TRIAL TREATS" and she had it monogrammed specially for me and my dogs and yes it is full of doggie treats, but not treats for me!

My whistles - I have been working very hard on my whistles. These are the two that I'm using right now for Bess, Pete and Liesl. For Tate I've converted strictly to whistling with my fingers (which I have been able to do since 8th grade and that was a LOOOOOOOONG time ago!). I started him with that, and he doesn't seem to want to convert to the dog whistles. So, we're doing pretty well with them.

Dog updates:

Didn't trial with Tate much this spring. We were very busy kidding out goats. Made one trial and Tate did okay - tough sheep that ran all over the place, but Tate kept his five together, but we just didn't make the course. 2nd run, I got in a hurry and my voice was a little pitchy so made Tate a little pitchy, same running sheep, made the course, but retired at the pens because one ewe was bound and determined to go to the exhaust and Tate was gonna help her!

Bess is doing very well in her training. She's outrunning, fetching and wearing her stock very well. I've started driving her some in the round pen and she is picking it up very well. We're both gaining confidence in each other, and I think we will be a great team down the road!!

Pete is 10 months old and I've had him on stock a couple of times - shows a lot of keenness and desire. I'm working on dry work commands, but we're soon to go to stock!

Liesl - well - a friend/mentor of mine took her for a spell to work her. I wasn't doing the dog any good and I knew it, so wanted someone with more experience to work her. My friend tells me that I didn't hurt her at all (thankfully!) and that she is doing well. So far not any big bugs, just needed a confident handler to get her listening!

Would love comments and a chance to visit with any dog person! Love to hear what your doing with your dogs, because each time I make contact, I learn something from each and every one of you!